An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has rocked eastern Indonesia, US seismologists say.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has rocked eastern Indonesia, US seismologists say.
The tremor struck south-west of Manokwari, West Papua province, at 0443 on Sunday (1943 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.
The tremor struck south-west of Manokwari, West Papua province, at 0443 on Sunday (1943 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.
Residents ran outdoors and to higher ground. A tsunami alert was issued but withdrawn within an hour.
Residents ran outdoors and to higher ground. A tsunami alert was issued but withdrawn within an hour.
The Indonesian archipelago lies over several continental plates where seismic activity happens regularly.
The Indonesian archipelago lies over several continental plates where seismic activity happens regularly.
Hasim Rumatiga, a local health official, told Associated Press that electricity went off and residents ran to higher ground.
Hasim Rumatiga, a local health official, told Associated Press electricity went off and residents ran to higher ground.
A policeman said that without power it was difficult to check for damage in Manokwari, the seaside capital of the province, AFP news agency reported.
A policeman said without power it was difficult to check for damage in Manokwari, the seaside capital of the province, AFP news agency reported.
He added that the police and military had been helping people get to higher ground.
He said the police and military had been helping people get to higher ground.
The initial tremor was followed by aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 7.5, local seismologists said.
The initial tremor was followed by aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 7.5, local seismologists said.
A huge quake off western Indonesia on 26 December, 2004 caused a massive tsunami that killed around 230,000 people around the region.
The tremors caused a hotel in Indonesia's West Papua province to collapse.
Officials said three people, who had been staying at the Mutiara hotel in the city of Manokwari, were pulled alive from the rubble and taken to hospital.
Japan's Meteorological Agency told Reuters news agency the earthquake also triggered a small tsunami which hit the Japanese coast, but did not cause any damage.
A huge quake off western Indonesia on 26 December 2004 caused a massive tsunami that killed around 230,000 people around the region.
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